July 12, (THEWILL) – Lionel Messi has revealed uncertainty about the timing of his retirement from international football, a subject that has been the centre of much debate.
In an interview aired on Argentine television, the 36-year-old admitted that he does not have a set plan for when he will step down. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner said: “Even I don’t know when. It’ll happen when it happens.” Following Argentina’s triumph in the 2021 Copa America and the recent FIFA World Cup victory, he intends to relish the moment and let time dictate when the right moment to leave arrives.
His age aside, Messi remains unsure about the precise timing of his international farewell, indicating that it may be sooner than expected. However, he affirmed that he is unlikely to participate in Argentina’s quest to defend their World Cup title in 2026. In one of his latest outings with Albiceleste, Messi scored the fastest goal of his career during a friendly match against Australia in China.
As THEWILL reported on Tuesday, the 36-year-old landed in Florida to finalise his transfer to Inter Miami, a Major League Soccer club in the United States. The deal, expected to span two-and-a-half years, is reportedly worth $60 million annually. After signing the contract, Messi will be formally introduced to fans at a stadium event scheduled for Sunday. This move comes after his tenure with Paris Saint-Germain and marks the next chapter in his illustrious career.
The influence of the widely famous football icon has already started rubbing off both Inter Miami and the MLS. Tickets for the debut game of the Argentine between Inter Miami and Cruz Azul have reached up to $10,000 on the official website for the sale of the event: Ticketmaster.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
